Ski Mountaineering on the Twins in Jasper National Park
Top reasons to go ski mountaineering on the Twins in Jasper NP
-
Take on the classic ascent up the majestic South and North Twins
-
Enjoy Jasper National Park’s awe-inspiring alpine wilderness
-
Experience the north face of Twins Tower, one of the most iconic cliff faces in the world
The North and South Twins, in the northeast corner of Alberta’s Columbia Icefield, are the most striking landmarks in Jasper National Park. The imposing peaks stand proudly like a crown on the legendary north face of the massif. The climb to the top exemplifies pure Canadian alpinism, with excellent snow, stunning views of the Southeast Ridge, and even some ice ax action on the South Twin traverse. The aspects are relatively low angle and easy lines are abundant, so you don’t have to be a hardcore mountaineer to conquer the peaks. There’s no lack of challenging climbs here—the storied north face of Twins Tower has only been climbed 4 times in modern history! Climbing The Twins is a magically pure and simple alpine mountaineering experience, and the perfect introduction to Alberta’s breathtaking backcountry.
SeasonApril through May |
Nearest cityBanff, AB, is 2 hours away from the Columbia Icefields, the starting point of the tour |
Duration4 days |
Skill levelIntermediate to advanced |
Book this adventure
Itinerary
You will usually be approaching the climb from the Athabasca Glacier, while the “Black Hole” approach is reserved for the rarely climbed North Face routes.
From the Glacier, traverse 3 miles (5 km) up to the ramp base of the Columbia Icefield. Circumnavigate the southern edge of the Snow Dome, avoiding the massive crevasses on the southeast slopes, and traverse a series of scenic glacier hills and valleys, providing excellent photo opportunities.
The base camp will be established as close as possible to the Twins. The North Twin will usually be accessed from the col, while the South Twin requires a longer southward traverse.
After climbing the Twins, take the chance to visit some of the other enticing peaks in the area!